The Bendigo city centre is about to experience a major construction boom after the Greater Bendigo City Council confirmed its commitment to the $90M Bendigo GovHub project.
The Bendigo GovHub, Bendigo TAFE redevelopment, new Law Courts and proposed new CFA Headquarters will revitalise the city centre by bringing more people into central Bendigo to work, access education and do business.
The Bendigo GovHub will place 600 workers from a range of Victorian Government departments and 400 City of Greater Bendigo staff in one building in central Bendigo. It will create 90 construction jobs, deliver 100 new public sector jobs, enhance the customer service experience, deliver a boost to the local economy, particularly nearby hospitality and retail providers, and increase the overall vibrancy of the city centre.
The site of the City's former offices will be sold for $5.5M to Development Victoria, which will build the project on behalf of the Victorian Government. Proceeds from the sale of land will go towards the City's fitout costs. The City's initial lease term will be 20 years with a project cost calculated to be $24.47M in today's dollars.
A number of environmentally sustainable design features, including a timber frame and structure, will be a feature of the new building, which has been designed in accordance with the National Construction Code (2019) to achieve a 'Nabers' rating of 5.5 and a Greenstar rating of at least 5.
Its construction design will also result in a 63 per cent reduction in power costs compared to standard building costs and will be an even greater saving when compared to the current buildings on the site.
The project is expected to commence mid-year.
Mayor Cr Margaret O'Rourke said the Bendigo GovHub was a game-changer for Bendigo's city centre.
"This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver a world-class building that places the customer at the centre of the experience, sets a national benchmark in sustainable office design, and creates a light, engaging and modern work place," Cr O'Rourke said.
"Together with our fantastic lifestyle, affordable housing, great schools and diverse local economy, the opportunity to work in a beautiful building such as this will attract people to live and work in Bendigo.
"The building itself will complement central Bendigo's heritage features and modern buildings, including the Bendigo Town Hall and Bendigo Library.
"This is just the type of project our community needs as we move through the COVID-19 pandemic. Projects like this and others planned for the city centre will employ local people and help give our economy a great boost.
"Council has undertaken significant research and due diligence on a range of options to best deliver this project. The approach Council has selected is right for Greater Bendigo and its future, and enables the project to be delivered without placing an unnecessary risk on our organisation or burden current and future ratepayers. This is a fantastic city-building outcome."
